The Mayweather/Pacquiao bout, the superfight of the 20th century

Dec 29, 2009 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
As the world anxiously awaits what is shaping up to be the fight of the century, the two principals, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are locked in a verbal warfare that threatens to abort the contest thus leaving boxing buffs worldwide wrangling with many unanswered questions concerning the perceived invincibility of Mayweather and the versatility of Pacquiao.
The latter fighter has experienced fluctuating fortunes during his career dropping early fights to Rustico Torrecampo, Medgoen Singsurat and Eric Morales. Two of those losses were by the knockout route. To his credit, Pacquiao has shrugged aside those losses and rebounded with victories over the best the world has to offer.
He dished out a first class licking to Ricky Hatton in May this year with a repeat performance over Miguel Cotto in November to snatch a piece of the welterweight title. The fight was held at 145 pounds at the insistence of Pacquiao’s camp because Cotto is a natural 147-pounder and Pacquiao has fought only once above 140 pounds. Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds, his heaviest ever, while Cotto was 145.
Within days of his win over Cotto, Pacquiao has issued a clarion call for Mayweather, imploring him to step into the ‘square jungle’ and establish the fighter of the century.
Both fighters boast flattering records but Mayweather is still to experience the bitterness of defeat. Pacquaio now boasts a record of 50 Wins, 3 Losses, 2 Draws with 38 knockouts. The pundits believe that a fighter is as good as his last fight. With this yardstick, he can be considered the best world-beater in the business after demoralizing Miguel Angel Cotto inside 12 rounds at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, November last. Of all of the fights of his career, the Cotto slugfest has distinguished Pacquiao as a force to be reckoned with, but is he ready for a fighter of Mayweather’s caliber?
Mayweather is no slouch. With an impeccable record of 40 wins inclusive of 25 knockouts he has walked the walk, proving that he is worthy of the title as the best pound for pound welterweight fighter around. Ricky Hatton was an unbeaten English fighter who had successfully taken on all comers. The critics labeled him a ‘homie’ since most of his fights were won in Great Britain, his backyard.
He next fought on June 5, 2005, Australian boxer, Costa Tszyu. The latter fighter lost this fight, and his world title, by TKO after retiring on his stool at the end of the 11th round. Up to then, he was also behind on all three judges’ scorecards by 1, 3 and 5 points, respectively. After this fight Tszyu, noted for his sterling performances in the ring, suddenly ‘grew old’ and before long, he had packed in his gears.
Following the fight, Mayweather declined cries from British fans to fight Hatton in the UK. He contended that Tszyu’s defeat was controversial: “I’m not willing to go over to England to fight Ricky Hatton, because over here we give you a fair shake, over there it wasn’t fair what happened to Kostya Tszyu, he got hit with low blows and elbows all night. He basically got out-wrestled.”
Mayweather and Hatton eventually brokered a deal and eventually faced off in Las Vegas. Mayweather dumped Hatton in round 10, although ironically, Hatton’s corner and many commentators have raised questions about the fairness of referee Joe Cortez in the fight. Shortly afterwards, Mayweather announced his retirement from the sport but after a relatively short period away, began to experience bouts of nostalgia which forced him back into the fray against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in a 12 rounds non-title welterweight scrap in Las Vegas. The result of that fight is now history as Mayweather made light work of Marquez, outboxing him in every round. The win was decisive but the pundits believe that in order to prove his greatness Mayweather must don gloves against Pacquiao.
Easily said than done, this fight has created more controversy on the outside than action inside of the ring. Just when it appeared as though the preliminary details were out of the way and the two fighters were ready to get it on; the issue took a twist and the Mayweather camp insisted on preliminary blood testing. Both camps failed to compromise on the issue and the bout was cast into jeopardy.
Mayweather is contending a random blood and urine test coupled with a cutoff date agreed upon by both parties will suffice for him. Pacquiao has certain reservations about the timings of the tests but has agreed to comply on the day of the announcement of the fight. He has further agreed on a blood sample 30 days before the bout and another just after the fight is over. This is a clear-cut pronouncement of a fighter who has nothing to hide. This should not be misconstrued to mean that Mayweather is scared. Such is the nature of the game. After the haggling and cross talk both fighters would reach a common compromise.
Notwithstanding this, one still has to be wary of the tactics employed by both camps as each attempt to grab the initiative. It seems as though both fighters are ready to enter into an agreement now. What then is the problem?
The debate is raging over the winner of this bout. Both boxers have demonstrated that he is on top of his game and would be hard to beat. Yet some unseen force is preventing boxing buffs worldwide from witnessing what would undoubtedly be the greatest fight since Sugar Ray Leonard opposed Roberto Duran and elicited a cry of ‘no mas’ from his pained lips.
The welterweight division has always provided the material for the many super fights witnessed worldwide. The many actors, Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hearns, Roberto Duran, Ayube Kalule, Marvin Hagler et al have all preserved the rich culture.
It is now time for Mayweather and Pacquiao to step up to the plate. Regardless of all the pre-fight hype and the shenanigans, I have this gut feeling that the fight would be staged by midyear. Who will win is the topic for another debate. For now, the world waits for the two principals to enter the square jungle and ‘get it on.’

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